Fruit-picker.



No. 7 7,702. PATENTED AUG. 1 1904.

s. H. KUHN. FRUIT PIGKER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.19, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

alumnu ill T UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL HOIVARD KUHN, OF COLFAX, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO S. RAY HOLBERT, OF FAIRMONT, l/VEST VIRGINIA.

FRUIT-PICKER.

SIECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,702, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed March 19, 1904.

To (LZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL HOWARD KUHN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Colfax, in the county of Marion and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Pickers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to harvesters,and particularly to a class thereunder known as fruitpickers.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel picking device which will prevent the fruit from falling to the side out of line with a chute to which the said fruit is directed.

Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide novel means for bracing the picking-fingers in order that comparatively light material may be employed in their construction.

Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide novel means for attaching the fingers in place on a collar, the said collar having an attachment for the reception of the operating pole or head.

Furthermore, an objectof the invention is to provide novel means for attaching the top portion of the chute to the remaining portion thereof; and the invention further consists in the novel details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth, and specifically claimed, wherebya harvester of the character noted will possess advantages in points of simplicity, efficiency, and durability, proving at the same time comparatively inexpensive to produce and maintain.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein like characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrating the invention and its application when in use. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the upper end of the chute and the picking-fingers. Fig. 3 is fragmentary view of the collar, showing the socket in elevation; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating the fingers.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a sack which is Serial No. 192,910. (No model.)

designed to be hung on the shoulders of the 5 o operator, and this Back has a chute 2, which is attached to and removed from the mouth of the sack in any suitable manner, and the upper end of the chute haseyes 3, which are worked or bound similar to a buttonhole-bind- ;,5 ing. Loops 4: are attached to the chute and are designed for the purpose of receiving the operating-rod 5, on which the said chute is suspended. The upper end or head 5 of the chute has its lower end of slightly less diam- 6O eter than the diameter of the main portion of the chute, and the said head has a series of loops 6, which project through the eyes of the main portion of the chute, and a stringer 7 is run through the loops to hold the said top por- 5 tion of the chute in fixed relation with the main portion of the chute. At the top of the head I provide a collar 8, which is preferably of metal, the said collar being bound between the material forming the head, and the said collar at 7 0 one side is provided with a socket 9, which is brazed, soldered, or otherwise secured to the said collar. The socket is designed for the purpose of receiving the end of the operatingrod 5,7which is necessary in the manipulation 75 of the picker. The socket is coveredby a portion of the material of which the head is formed and is stitched at each side for the purpose of strengthening the joint and retaining the socket in place. At a point dia- 30 metrically opposite the socket the fingers 10 are attached, and these fingers comprise in their construction a wire bent on itself to form a loop 11, said looped portion being brazed, soldered, or otherwise secured to the 5 collar, and the said fingers extend parallel and approximately aline with the surface of the collar for a portion of their length and then diverge gradually to form prongs in which the stem of the fruit is inserted before 9 exerting a pull on the fruit.

The fingers may be made of comparatively light material, and in order to permit unusually light material being employed I provide a flexible brace-strap 12, which has its two 95' ends anchored to the edge of the material forming the head ata point in advance of the base portion of the fingers, the said strap passing over the two fingers and being secured thereto by stitching or in any suitable manner.

The brace-strap limits the rearward movement of the fingers 10 and holds them in their normal position.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, be understood from the foregoing description, it being noted that various changes may be resorted to in the proportions and details of construction for successfully carrying the invention into practice'without departing from the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a fruit-picker, a chute, a receptacle therefor, a detachable head on the chute, a collar on an end of the head, a socket on the collar, fingers secured to the collar, a flexible brace for the fingers adapted to limit the movement thereof in one direction, and a rod,

one end of which is adapted to fit in the socket on the collar.

2. In a fruit-picker, a chute and receptacle, a detachable head on the chute, a collar on the upper end of the head, a socket on the collar, fingers secured to the collar diametrically opposite the socket; and a rod, one end of which is adapted to fit in the socket on the collar.

3. In adevice of the character described, a suitable chute, a collar, fingers secured to the collar, a flexible brace secured to the fingers and at its ends to the chute at a pointin advance of the base of the fingers, said brace being adapted to limit the movement of the fingers in one direction.

In testimony whereof I'affix my signature, in thepresence of two witnesses, this 14th day of March, 1904. I

- SAMUEL HOWARD KUI-IN.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL O. HOLMAN, HARRIET SHAW. 

